Christmas in Riga

Christmas events and concerts

During Advent and the Christmas season, Riga invites visitors to enjoy a diverse festive programme featuring concerts in concert halls and churches, winter solstice traditions in the Old Town, creative workshops, exhibitions, and family-friendly events in the city centre.

Winter Solstice Traditions and Festive Events

19 December, 18:30-20:00 | Town Hall Square (Rātslaukums)
Blukis (Yule Log) Evening and Masked Procession offers the opportunity to experience ancient Latvian winter solstice traditions in the heart of Riga Old Town. The programme includes the lighting of a bonfire, ritual activities, traditional dances and singing, as well as a masked procession through the streets of Old Riga together with folklore groups from Riga and across Latvia.

21 December, 12:00-20:00 | M/Darbnīca, Aristida Briāna iela 9
Budēļi Carnival is a full-day event celebrating traditional Latvian mumming customs. Visitors can take part in an authentic Budēļi mask-making workshop led by textile artist Emma Sofija, enjoy a solstice feast, traditional games, dances, and a festive bonfire. The programme also features a concert by the vocal ensemble Kalmes, a Yule log pulling ritual, and a community masked procession organised together with the craft beer bar Labietis and the Miera Street Republic community. The evening concludes with a concert by the band Zāle. Free admission, participation in the mask workshop costs 5 EUR.

Christmas Concerts

Ave Sol Concert Hall, Citadeles iela 7
During the Christmas season, the concert hall hosts several choir and chamber music concerts. On 17 December at 19:00 the concert “Satikšanās” will feature the mixed choir Sonante. On 20 December at 16:00 the concert “Ziema zaigo” will take place. On 21 December at 16:00 audiences are invited to the concert “Šī jausma savādā”. On 22 December at 19:00 the concert “Pirms Ziemassvētkiem” will be held. On 25 December at 14:00 and 17:00 the Christmas concert “Ziemassvētku noskaņa” will conclude the festive programme.

Small Guild Hall (Mazā ģilde), Amatu iela 5
On 21 December at 19:00 the Fourth Advent concert will take place, featuring singer Annika Lanka in a historic Old Town concert venue.

Anglican Church of St Saviour
Concerts by the group Sigma and the youth choir Balsis will take place on 22 and 23 December at 20:00, and on 25 December at 23:00. The programme offers a meditative and contemporary musical experience in a sacred setting.

Family-Friendly Events

Riga Art Nouveau Centre, Alberta iela 12
On 20 December at 11:00 and 14:00 the event “A Christmas Fairy Tale” introduces children to Christmas traditions through games, songs, and storytelling. The event is suitable for families with children aged 3 to 10.

Bastejkalns Park and Livu Square
On 21 December from 15:00 to 15:45 in Bastejkalns Park and on 24 December from 12:00 to 12:45 in Livu Square, the dixieland band Sunny Groove Dixie presents the Christmas concert programme “Čiekurs Čikijs”, including special surprises for young audiences.

Exhibitions and Creative Workshops

Riga Porcelain Museum, Konventa Sēta, Kalēju iela 9-11
On 19 December from 12:00 to 13:30 and from 15:00 to 16:30 the creative workshop “Christmas Tree Ornament” offers visitors the opportunity to create their own porcelain Christmas decoration. The exhibition “Christmas Tree Ornaments”, on view until 6 January, showcases Christmas decorations created by Latvian artists.

Riga Art Nouveau Centre, Alberta iela 12
The exhibition “A Christmas Fairy Tale”, on view until 11 January, explores early 20th-century Christmas traditions, historic interiors, and festive decorations.

Christmas Decorations in the City

When Advent begins in Riga, the city transforms into a sparkling winter fairytale. From the historic boulevards to quiet neighbourhood streets, festive lights appear everywhere, illuminating dark winter evenings and filling the city with a sense of joyful anticipation.

This year, special attention is given to the façade of Riga Cathedral, which will be illuminated with festive decorations. With the lighting of the first Advent candles, the city’s main Christmas trees in Town Hall Square and Dome Square will also be lit, turning both squares into some of the most beautiful festive meeting places in Riga.

Throughout the Advent season, many more Christmas trees will gradually appear across the city, each with its own character and design, creating the feeling that Riga is adorned by an entire festive forest.

New light installations have also been created this year, delighting both residents and visitors.

“Riga’s Light Trees” on Kaļķu Street in the Old Town form a special route of light installations leading visitors through the festive atmosphere of Old Riga.

“Christmas Light Trees” in Bastejkalns Park and near the Opera House, along the City Canal on both sides of Freedom Square, create a peaceful walking area where reflections of the city meet playful displays of light.

During the Christmas season, Riga becomes a city of light and quiet wonder, a place where winter walks, the aroma of mulled wine, and glowing installations come together in a unique festive story.

Riga's restaurant working hours - Christmas and New Years

Each restaurant that will be open on New Year’s Eve (31.12.2025) kindly asks guests to book in advance to secure a table for their special New Year’s dinner.
Please note that this announcement does not apply to the “Burzma” and “Lido” restaurants.

Traditional Christmas market

Weeks before Christmas are a particularly lovely time to be in Riga. In a traditional Christmas market, which will be open from November 28th until January 4th at Dome Square, mulled wine becomes the drink of choice as the aromas of cinnamon, ginger, and roasted almonds fill the air. This year, the Riga Christmas market will be even more amazing than ever. Here you can find vendors from whom you can purchase one-of-a-kind gifts, as well as a variety of mouthwatering traditional and street foods and specialty cocktails. Folklore ensembles, musical groups, and DJs will also be performing here, and there will also be workshops with Santa's little helpers. We would also like to proudly note that the Riga Christmas Market has entered the top of Europe's best Christmas markets and is recommended as a fabulous destination for winter holidays!

Opening hours:

Monday-Thursday: 11:00 - 21:00, 
Friday-Saturday: 10:00 - 22:00, 
Sundays: 10:00 - 21:00

Holiday opening hours:
24.December 10.00–20.00
25.December 10.00–21.00
26.December 10.00–22.00
31.December 10.00–02.00
1. January 12.00–20.00 

Address:

Doma laukums

Āgenskalns Christmas market

Looking for the magic of Christmas and the best date spots in Riga this December? Head to the liveliest meeting point in Pārdaugava – the Āgenskalns Market! Every Saturday and Sunday from 29 November to 29 December, 10:00–18:00, the Christmas Market invites visitors to discover something magical, surprising, and delicious at every step.

In the first-floor pop-up stalls, the outdoor Greenhouse, and the courtyard, vendors from all over Latvia will bring original gifts ready to be wrapped, steaming seasonal drinks, gingerbread dough, fragrant Christmas trees that smell like a pine forest, elegant and classic Advent wreaths, and everything else that brings joy and inspiration during the holiday season. In the outdoor market area, you’ll also find the winter Krāminieks – the perfect place to hunt for unique vintage treasures: from walnut-shaped cookie moulds to charming tableware and unexpected gift finds.

On Wednesday evenings, you are warmly welcome to enjoy jazz concerts on the second floor, a cosy way to meet with loved ones accompanied by live music. Beginning 10 November, the second floor will also host the wonderfully fragrant shop of Gardenia Eco Candles from Vecpiebalga, offering their handcrafted candles and works by Latvian designers.

Address:

Nometņu iela 64

The Kalnciema Quarter Christmas Market

The Kalnciema Quarter Christmas Market has become an essential part of Riga’s winter postcard charm. Everyone is invited to visit the beloved annual market every Saturday from 29 November to 27 December, with a special festive edition also taking place on Sunday, 21 December.

You are also warmly welcomed to explore the Contemporary Ceramics Pop-Up Market, held in the Quarter’s gallery from 6 December to 3 January, bringing together around 20 talented ceramic artists from across Latvia.

At the Christmas Market, visitors can discover truly unique gifts – original creations by Latvian artisans and designers, wood-fired bread, authentic Alsunga sklandrauši, and a wide range of local “super products”: from hemp chocolate to pine cone syrups and viburnum juices. Here you can also choose the greenest Christmas tree and enjoy a steaming cup of your favourite seasonal drink. Meanwhile, in the cosy café of a 19th-century wooden house, guests are invited to taste mulled wine made from Marche region wines using our own special recipe – perfect for long, warm conversations.

This year, alongside the market, we have prepared a festive cultural programme featuring wonderful concerts on the open-air stage, playful elves, surprises for families, and creative workshops for children.

Address:

Kalnciema Iela 35

Light walking trail “Sun. Winter Solstice” at the Open-Air Museum

Continuing the journey through the ancient Latvian life cycle that began in autumn 2025 with the Veļu Light Trail, the creative team of “Light Stories” invites visitors to the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum to experience the second part of the light trilogy “Cycles of Light” - “SUN. WINTER SOLSTICE.”

The Winter Solstice marks the moment when darkness begins to retreat and the Sun turns toward spring and new life. It is a traditional festive season filled with songs, dances, fortune-telling, yule log pulling, and generous feasting. This winter, the Open-Air Museum will come alive with Winter Solstice masqueraders - ķekatas and budēļi – creating an authentic atmosphere of celebration and dance.

Along the illuminated walking trail, visitors will encounter traditional Solstice characters such as the Bear, Death, Gypsy Woman, Goat, Wolf, and Crane. The heart of winter will be accompanied by the powerful sounds of bagpipes and drums performed by “Auļi” and “MM Orķestris,” as well as performances by dancers from the folk dance ensemble “Līgo.”

Guests will also be able to enjoy traditional seasonal Latvian food, including stewed sauerkraut with roasted meat, peas and beans, bacon pies, rustic bread, gingerbread, and warming herbal teas with honey, along with other hot drinks.

The second part of the light trilogy “Cycles of Light – SUN. WINTER SOLSTICE” will be open from 19 December to 4 January (closed on 24 and 31 December), every evening from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (last entry at 9:00 PM).

Cristmas Bar

Until January 4, the café-bar “This Place Doesn’t Need A Name” in Riga Old Town transforms into a vibrant Christmas bar, inviting visitors into a magical festive world. Each year, the interior is completely redesigned - hundreds of Christmas ornaments, twinkling lights, ribbons, gift boxes, and themed holiday decorations cover the walls and ceilings, creating a rich and slightly surreal Christmas atmosphere.

The festive experience is enhanced by a special Christmas menu, created exclusively for the season, featuring hot and cold drinks, themed cocktails, and winter-inspired dishes that are not available at any other time of the year. The bar has become a popular meeting spot for groups of friends, families, and holiday-minded locals and visitors to Riga alike.

Located in Riga Old Town at Šķūņu iela 10, just a few minutes’ walk from the Dome Square Christmas Market, this Christmas bar is an especially attractive stop during festive strolls - a cozy place to warm up, smile, and enjoy the Christmas spirit regardless of the weather.

Address:

Šķūņu iela 10